In their latest quest to upgrade their pitching staff, the Cubs reached a two-year agreement Sunday with free agent reliever Brandon Morrow.
A source at the winter meetings confirmed the agreement, as the Cubs have been looking to secure the services of Morrow and possibly fill a void in the closer's role due to the potential departure of fellow free agent Wade Davis.
Morrow, 33, has posted a 1.96 ERA in 63 appearances over the past two seasons with the Padres and Dodgers. Since making the conversion from starter to reliever, Morrow's velocity has hovered in the upper 90 mph range.
Morrow helped the Dodgers advance to the 2017 World Series by posting a 6-0 record and 2.06 ERA in 46 appearances, striking out 50 in 43 2/3 innings. Morrow hasn't allowed a home run since Sept. 8, 2016, to Cristhian Adames of the Rockies.
The agreement will be official once Morrow passes a physical examination. Morrow has endured an array of injuries dating back to his days as a starter and reliever with the Mariners and Blue Jays, but he showed his endurance by pitching in all seven games of the 2017 World Series.
Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com said Morrow's deal is worth $10 to $11 million annually.
This could be the first of several moves made by the Cubs at the meetings, which run through Thursday.
The Cubs remain strong contenders for free agent starting pitcher Alex Cobb.
The Cubs took their first major step toward addressing their pitching staff Thursday by signing starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood to a three-year, $38 million contract.
In other news, sources confirmed the White Sox aren't actively shopping first baseman Jose Abreu and would have to be overwhelmed in order to consider moving him.
The Yankees will introduce slugger Giancarlo Stanton at a news conference Monday at the winter meetings. Stanton, the 2016 National League Most Valuable Player, was dealt from the Marlins.
